Pranab asks Maoists to abjure violence, negotiate with govt

Purulia (WB): Union Finance Minister
Pranab Mukherjee on Monday urged the Maoists to shun violence and
sit for talks to settle their demands.

"I appeal to the Maoists to leave arms and come for
negotiations with the government. All their demands can be met
through dialogues," the senior Congress leader told two
election rallies at Barabazar and Santhaldihi, about 50 km
from here.

Holding the ruling CPI(M) responsible for the rise of
Maoists in West Bengal, Mukherjee said nothing was done for
the development of tribal areas by the Left Front Government
despite having central funds for the purpose.
"Maoists are successful in spreading their network in
the tribal areas taking advantage of the poverty and
deprivation of the Adivasis in Bengal. The Left Front
Government did not respond to the cry for justice by the poor
tribals," he said.

The state government`s performance in other areas
also was miserable in all sectors including health, education,
electricity, drinking water, agriculture and
industrialisation, he said.
Purulia district with nine Assembly seats goes to
polls on May 7 and 10 in two phases.